Arabiensis Mosquito vs Fleshfly (Dux)

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Arabiensis Mosquito Fleshfly (Dux)
Scientific Name Anopheles arabiensis Sarcophaga dux
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Culicidae Sarcophagidae
Size 3-5 mm 10-16 mm
Habitat Farmland Woodlands
Diet Blood Feeders Detritivores
Regions East Africa (Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Somalia, Djibouti, Eritrea) Tropical Asia, Pacific Islands, Australia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Arabiensis Mosquito

A member of the Anopheles gambiae complex that thrives in drier, more arid conditions. It feeds on both humans and cattle, making it a versatile malaria vector.

💡

Did You Know?

It is more zoophilic than its close relative An. gambiae, often feeding on cattle, which makes bed nets alone less effective for controlling it.

Fleshfly (Dux)

A large gray flesh fly common across tropical Asia and the Pacific that is an important cause of wound myiasis and secondary myiasis of the ear and nose. Females deposit live larvae directly into wounds and body cavities. It is frequently associated with unsanitary conditions in tropical urban areas.

💡

Did You Know?

Cases of aural myiasis caused by this fly, where larvae infest the ear canal, are regularly reported in tropical Asian hospitals.